Loading device for a cargo space of a vehicle
The invention relates to a loading device for a loading platform of a vehicle comprising floorboards movable to and fro over crossbeams in groups while displacing the load over a distance and stationary supports for supporting the floorboards and a contact plane between the floorboard and a stationary support, in which guard means are fitted to protect the contact plane against splashing dirt.
The invention relates to a loading device according to the preamble of Claim 1. Loading devices of this type are known, for example from EP-A 1332988. When used in the loading floor of a lorry, the known loading device has the drawback that the underside of the floorboards may be soiled with sand and mud while driving on the road and/or sandy roads and may also get wet. As a result of the floorboards being moved to and fro during loading and unloading, this dirt ends up between the floorboards and the stationary supports, where it causes wear. As a result of this wear, it may be necessary to renew the floorboards regularly which leads to additional costs.
In order to prevent this wear, the loading device is designed according to the feature of Claim 1. As a result of installing guard means, the contact face gets less dirty and/or wet and there will be less wear of the floorboards.
In accordance with an improvement, the loading device is designed according to Claim 2. In this embodiment, short contact planes are provided above the stationary supports which are effectively protected against dirt by the splash guards.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 3. This ensures soiling of the underside of the floorboards is prevented.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 4. This ensures soiling of the underside of the floorboards is prevented further.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 5. This ensures that the underside of the floorboard is protected against soiling over a sufficient distance.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 6. This ensures that the stationary support with splash guard can be manufactured in a simple manner with suitably matched dimensions.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 7. This allows a support for the floorboards to be produced in a simple manner which protects the underside of the floorboard over its entire length.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 8. In this way, a solid floor with high load-bearing capacity, in which the underside of the floorboard is protected over its entire length, is provided in a simple manner.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 9. In this way, installing the floorboards over the plastic profiled section is relatively simple while a good seal is ensured at the same time.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 10. In this way, the plastic profiled section is prevented in a simple manner from sliding over the stationary supports.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 11. In this way, the sliding piece can be attached to the supporting beam in a simple manner.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 12. In this way, the plastic component can be produced quickly and with little distortion.
In accordance with one embodiment, the loading device is designed according to Claim 13. In this way, the mould for producing the plastic component can be constructed in a simple manner, while the apertures in the plastic produce a saving in material.
The invention will be explained below with reference to a number of exemplary embodiments of the loading device with the aid of a drawing, in which:
The floorboards 4 are moved to and fro in groups over a distance s by means of hydraulic cylinders (not shown) which are described inter alia in European patent application EP-A 1332988. The load is displaced if all groups of floorboards 4 are simultaneously moved in the same direction from a starting position. Subsequently, the floorboards 4 are returned to their starting position by moving a first group of floorboards 4, for example comprising one third of the number of floorboards 4, to the starting position and then, one after the other, moving the second and third groups to the starting position. Then, all groups are moved simultaneously out of the starting position again as a result of which the load moves ahead one step. The floorboards 4 rest on sliding pieces to be discusssed below, which are generally made from plastic. The illustrated loading device can be used for loading and unloading parcel goods, for example pallets, and also for loading and unloading bulk material. As transportation takes place over surfaced and unsurfaced roads, the underside of the floorboards 4 can become very dirty.
The sliding piece 13, which is preferably made from a plastic suitable for the purpose, is attached, together with two other sliding pieces 13, to a common base 15 to form an assembly 21. The assembly 21 is attached to the crossbeam 6 by means of rivets 16. This embodiment with three sliding pieces 13 is based on the fact that the floorboards 4 can move in three groups by means of three hydraulic cylinders, the number of floorboards 4 in each case being a multiple of three. In embodiments with more or fewer groups, or for other reasons, more or fewer sliding pieces 13 may be combined to form an assembly 21.
The plastic support 37 is provided with apertures 39 which are positioned in such a manner that the plastic between the apertures 39 has a more or less constant wall thickness throughout. This makes it easier to produce the component by injection-moulding as the dissipation of heat during curing takes place more evenly. The walls of the apertures 39 are more or less parallel as a result of which the cores present during injection-moulding can be pulled from the cured component in a simple manner. This makes it possible to make the design of the mould simpler.
Claims
1. Loading device for a loading platform of a vehicle comprising crossbeams (6), floorboards movable to and fro over the crossbeams in groups over a distance (s) and stationary supports located on the crossbeams for supporting the floorboards and a contact plane between the movable floorboard and the stationary support, characterized in that guard means are fitted to protect the contact plane against splashing dirt.
2. Loading device according to claim 1, in which the upper side of the stationary support forms the contact plane and the guard means comprise a splash guard which is attached near the contact plane on the stationary support.
3. Loading device according to claim 2, in which the splash guard, with the end remote from the stationary support, forms a first seal with the underside of the floorboard.
4. Loading device according to claim 3, in which sides of the splash guard form second seals with the floorboard (4).
5. Loading device according to claim 2, in which the length of the splash guard is approximately equal to the distance (s).
6. Loading device according to claims 2-5, in which the stationary support is combined with the associated splash guard to form a plastic component.
7. Loading device according to claim 1, in which a plastic profiled section is attached to the stationary supports in the longitudinal direction of the loading platform and the contact plane is formed by the upper plane of the plastic profiled section.
8. Loading device according to claim 1, in which a metal profiled section is fitted as stationary support in the longitudinal direction of the loading container, the metal profiled section comprising a plastic profiled section, and the contact plane is formed by the upper plane of the plastic profiled section.
9. Loading device according to claim 7, in which the sides of the plastic profiled section are provided with sealing lips for sealing and/or guidance against the floorboard.
10. Loading device according to claim 7, in which the plastic profiled section is attached to the stationary supports by means of screws fitted on the side.
11. Loading device according to claim 1, in which a number of stationary supports are combined to form a plastic component which can be mounted on a crossbeam.
12. Loading device according to claim 1, in which the stationary supports or the plastic component are made from plastic having a more or less constant wall thickness.
13. Loading device according to claim 1, in which the stationary supports or the plastic component are provided with apertures having parallel walls.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 18, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2005
Inventor: Jacob Biemond (Bodegraven)
Application Number: 10/967,442